Real reasons why labour give MTN 14-day ultimatum

By allcitynews.ng

Organised labour in telecommunication sector, Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has explained why MTN must meet it’s need or face the wrath.

In a press briefing, The General Secretary of the union, Comrade Okonu Abdullahi blaming MTN on many, among other things cited dearth of welfare for workers as one of the reasons for the ultimatum.

Noting that the Chief Executive Officer of MTN whose priority should be organisational growth and sustainability of its workers has abandoned this vital responsibility.

Accusing the management team, he said the company has been shunning several calls by the workers and their union representatives to meet with them on critical issues facing workers in the company.

While reading from the text signed by the General Secretary, Comrade Okonu Abdullahi and the Deputy General Secretary Comrade  Felix Osagie, PTECSSAN vowed to use MTN as first point to send signal to others against use of casualization and outsourcing.

Responding to what steps they had made so far to get the MTN management to amicable resolve the issues raised,Abdullahi and Osagie said all their attempts to resolve the issues have been hitting brick wall since MTN failed to have meetings with executives of the union.

Among other loads that are about to break the camels’ back, is non-payment of severance benefits at the point of departure of employees after long years of dedicated and uninterrupted services to the company that has become a  deep frustration practice to the long guarantees for workers in MTN, victimisation of any worker that dare belong to the union; exploitation of workers; abuse of expatriate quota whereby foreigners are employed to do the same jobs Nigerians can do; placing 70 per cent on casual despite the huge profit MTN is making in Nigeria.

As a watchdog of workers’ interests in the telecommunication industry, the union said that it is duty bound to seek the protection of the interest s of workers within the sector.

Meanwhile the leadership of MTN has denied the accusations levelled against MTN.

In his reaction, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, explained that MTN always deploy global best practice to it’s workers.

Okigbo, in a statement by the Senior Manager, External Relations, Mr Funso Aina described the allegations by labour as not having any base.

He noted over the years, MTN has built a ‘people first’ culture that empowers its employees, values exclusivity and hard work and instils a responsibility for its customers and communities.

“This is what defines and unites us. MTN cares greatly about all its workers, deploying global best practice people solutions and policies that make MTN Nigeria a great place to work. We intentionally invest in our people. Indeed, MTN’s success in Nigeria is as a result of the hard work, commitment and dedication of all staff, guided by a strong culture of people management.